Hi can anyone suggest a good split charge kit for me to buy along with a leisure battery to fit to my van - I'm going to follow the easy to follow how to (hopefuly it is as easy!) in this years keeping your bus alive mag.

I am a Sterling fan, having had the kit in the van now for over a year I cannot fault it.

If you want to properly charge two or more big batteries then there is little else to compare.

The Stirling alternator manager monitors the starter battery and the leisure or domestic batteries, and puts the power where it needs it. I have seen 114 amps at 14.8 volts going into the domestic batteries, and that's from a standard 90 Bosch. It amplifies the voltage direct from the alternator to 14.8 whilst it bulk charges, then drops the voltage in a 4 stage manner.

It is expensive, but it is a fit and forget item, I just use two batt's from Mole Valley Farmers at 45 quid each.

This product means that you can properly free camp, I just dont need to hook up.

Below photo shows the alternator putting out around 100 amps, but at a too low to charge 13 volts, and amplifying it up to the required 14.8 volts. You just wont get that sort of charging from a little relay and speaker wire.

The Sterling twin battery charger, inverter and alternator manager all sit on the second shelf.

I keep telling people on 80/90 to fit 100A systems but they all persist in fitting these puny 30A ones due to lack of knowledge as to the amps involved - then there are posts about 'my 30A fuse has blown'!My Merc van has a 180A relay switched by a 30A intelligent relay to charge my pair of 110A batteries,topped up by a solar panel.This is far cheaper than the Sterling way but you don't get the pretty lights!
Nice to see a sensible set up.

i've just done this on my van, piece of piss my system is this on my devon

12v/gas fridge, 2 burner hobb/sink

Mains hookup as per KYBA mag but with a trip-out box, double plug socket but have the opertunity to add more!

split charging as per the KYBA mag with a 110 leisure battery, i dont know where to put it yet though??????

when driving the fridge can go on 12v although i dont need that option & apparently its not good to have the fridge running on the move???

when hooked up on the mains i have a trickle charger on the leasure battery so in affect all my stuff on the leisure battery is being charged as needs be just like a Zig panel in a way, seems to be working a treat at the moment :P

also going to pick up a cheap solar panel to hook up to keep power hunky-dory, i am a cheapskate but my system is setup safe/tidy, i've use the biggest cable i can, if there is a recommendation on a bigger relay to use, i'm a newbie to all this anyway

cheers oldie-goodie, iin an ideal world i'l like to setup all the rear electrics fridge/lights etc & my stereo from my leisure battery thats being kept topped up from the split-charge & keep my driving battery completely seperate so its just starting the van & drving the lights!!!!

i've set mine up in the usual fashion just to get it up and running but i'll change bits n bobs as needs be & ppl advise me where to better things

Well this all seems good advice and helpful to see what other people are doing - on a moment of reflection i think i need to keep mine simple, i'll only go away in my van a few times a year and i plan to add to the system slowly (i plan to get a fridge but don't have one yet as well as extra internal lights).

I guess i need a reasonably priced solution which will prove worthwhile in the long run but also practical and simple to install and manage (novice!) within my capabilities.

i like the look of the zig, i do want to get a mains hook up as KYBA, the sterling looks impressive (loving the serious setup) but this looks like more than i need and want to spend.

if i can find my phone cable i'll do picks of mine, mine is a super simple setup & safe!

i've been told a 110 leisure battery should give me enough power for a long weekend if i'm sensible, its the fridge/stereo thats the power user & in the day you are'nt using anything really other than maybe for a cuppa etc

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